Rotary Latch Locking Roll Container Side Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll containers with removable side walls face issues of incorrect anchoring due to cumbersome and unreliable locking mechanisms, which can lead to unsafe operation during transport.

Innovation Solution

A rotary latch and pivoting bolt locking mechanism that automatically secures the side wall upon insertion, providing visual confirmation of the locking status and preventing loading until secure anchoring is achieved, thus ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual locking mechanisms are used to secure side walls, then the side walls can be anchored to the load table, but the locking mechanism can easily jam and is uncertain whether currently closed or open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of locking mechanismVSAvoidease of operation of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary latch automatically locks when the side wall is inserted into the recess. The insertion movement itself triggers the locking action through the control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations and reducing the risk of human error in the locking process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism provides visual confirmation of its state through positional indicators. The rotary latch has distinct open and closed positions that are visually distinguishable, allowing operators to immediately verify the locking status without manual checking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If clamps are used to fix side walls on the load table, then the side walls can be securely anchored, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of side wall anchoringVSAvoidease of assembly of side wall
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary latch mechanism automatically engages and locks the side wall when inserted into the recess. The control mechanism converts the insertion movement into automatic locking action, eliminating the need for separate manual clamping operations and simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is extracted from a separate manual operation and integrated into the insertion process itself. The rotary latch and control mechanism work together to automatically perform the anchoring function during side wall installation, removing the need for additional clamping steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the locking mechanism protrudes over the top of the load table in the open position, then loading is prevented and insertion is facilitated, but the mechanism adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of incorrect loadingVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary latch provides clear visual differentiation between open and closed states through its positional orientation. The protruding position in the open state and retracted position in the closed state create obvious visual cues that immediately communicate the locking status to operators

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding rotary latch in the open position physically prevents loading by blocking access to the load table. This preliminary protective action occurs before any loading can take place, and the mechanism automatically transitions to a non-obtrusive state when locked

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The mechanism simplifies the assembly process, prevents incorrect locking, and enhances safety by ensuring the side wall is securely anchored before use, making it difficult to ignore the locking status during loading.

Implementation Method 1

the side wall inserted into the recess generates a torque acting on the rotary latch, which causes the rotary latch to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP3015340B1Roll container with removable side wall
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 WALTHER FALTSYST
  • EP3015340B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3015340B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3015340B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A roll container (10) is shown and described, comprising a load table (11) whose underside is provided with rollers (13) and whose upper side serves to hold cargo, a recess (16) in the load table (11) into which a side wall (17) can be inserted, a side wall (17) that can be inserted into the recess (16) and which has a first opening (20) in a lower wall section, which is bounded by a first strut (21), and a locking mechanism that anchors the side wall (17) inserted into the recess (16) along a path of movement to the load table (11), wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pivoting bolt (22) in the form of a toggle lever, which is pivotable about a bolt axis (23) and embedded in the load table (11), the bolt arm (24) of which, in the open position, projects significantly beyond the surface of the load table (11) and, in the closed position, is at least flush with the surface of the load table. (11) concludes.